Brothers

Captain Sam Cahill is embarking on his fourth tour of duty, leaving behind his beloved wife and two daughters. When Sam's Blackhawk helicopter is shot down in the mountains of Afghanistan, the worst is presumed, leaving an enormous void in the family. Despite a dark history, Sam's charismatic younger brother steps in to fill the family void.

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Really intense and well-paced storyline. When I first selected this film, I didn't realize it was a subject based on war and normally I would have just passed it up, if it weren't for Maguire, Portman, and Gyllenhaal, and fortunately this film doesn't rely on the war topic, at least not in the traditional sense. Admittedly, I do enjoy competent people in their element, much like Ed Norton in 'The Incredible Hulk,' Jamie Foxx in 'Collateral,' and Ethan Hawke, even in a cameo appearance (but mostly, he's behind the scenes) in the documentary 'Seymour,' in which the presence of their talents become evident and they bring a certain dimension to their subject character and the broader story, and sometimes, they will even surprise; in 'Brothers,' it's no different. Some scenes make a mark like the scene with the eye communication thing going on, a look so detached and frightening, at the dinner table in which Sam (Maguire) directs his gaze at one of his young daughters; at that age, I think I would be mumbling for Uncle Tommy as well with a painful upset stomach. And a film such as this only reinforces my dislike for war and all that it encompasses before, during, and after being sent out into the field: I believe there are better ways to handle disputes, there has to be.

This is the American version of a Danish film by director Susanne Bier, bearing the same name. If you have seen the original, there is no need to see this version. If not, and if you are interested in the PTSD theme, it may be worth a look.

VERY powerful movie. Hurts the brain to think about it. The age old question...what would you do in his position? Got my emotions flowing. A recommend to anyone who can handle an important, yet not widely acknowledged subject.